XV. them up closely on all sides, that they might receive LETTER no supply of provisions; and thus resolved to compel them by famine either to surrender at discretion, or to come out and hazard an engagement207. The besieged malecontents, who greatly surpassed their antagonists in military skill208, chose the latter alternative. They quitted their fortifications; joined battle with the native Syracusians; killed many, and were almost all cut off before they gave ground. But at last, they were totally routed! and the victorious Syracusians bestowed a chaplet, and pecuniary reward upon six hundred citizens that had eminently distinguished themselves in the action209, The inhabitants of the other Grecian cities in Sicily, after the example of Syracuse, entered into an alliance against the mercenaries and naturalised foreigners; who had been endowed with lands and houses by different princes, in reward of their services; drove them from their possessions and restored the former proprietors to their estates and habitations 20 So that all the Grecian cities in that island were, in a short time, freed from foreigners; and the form of popular government, which had originally prevailed in each state, was re-established. But although the princes, denominated tyrants, and those considered as their abettors, were every where expelled in Sicily, yet in the minds of many there lay a concealed species of tyranny; which frequently disturbed the public peace, in the several states, and occasioned various tumults and commotions 22. In Syracuse, one Tyndarion, a loquacious PART I. demagogue, having gained, by his benefactions and plausible harangues, a powerful party among the lower order of citizens, attempted to assume the supreme power; but, being detected, both he and his accomplices were put to death for conspiring to enslave the state23. The punishment of this demagogue and his adherents did not, however, deter others from forming the like ambitious projects; for no sooner had any citizen acquired an ample fortune, than he began to entertain thoughts of wearing a diadem; and with that view, courted the favour of the people114. In order to prevent the evils arising from such attempts, and bring down the aspiring minds of the opulent citizens, the Syracusians had recourse to a law resembling the Athenian ostracism. For as, at Athens, every citizen was to write on a shell the name of the person he believed most likely, on account of his wealth or influence, to aspire at the supreme power; in the same manner, at Syracuse, every citizen was to write on a leaf the name of the man he apprehended to be so powerful as to usurp the sovereignty, by means of his adherents 15. When the leaves were counted, he who had most suffrages against him was banished for five years26. This new adopted method of weakening the interest of the opulent citizens, was therefore called Petalism, from the Greek word petalon, which signifies a leaf27. That law, however, was attended with many ill consequences: for they, who were most able to govern 213. Id. lib. xi. P. 65. 214. Id. ibid. 215. Dicd. Sicul. lib. xi. p. 65, 66, vol. ii. 216. Id. ibid. 217. Id. ibid. The leaf used, in taking the suffrages, was that of the olive-tree. the the state, being expelled, and the administration committed to the meanest of the people, many of the chief citizens, that were, capable of rendering essential service to their country, fearing to fall under the punishment of petalism, withdrew from the city of Syracuse, and led private lives; not choosing, at such hazard, to concern themselves in public affairs218. Hence all public offices being filled by men of no ability or experience, the Syracusian state, ready to fall into anarchy, was on the brink of ruin. The law of petalism was, therefore, repealed soon after it had been enacted; and the reins of govern ment were again put into the hands of men, who knew better how to manage them29. Meanwhile Ducetius, a chieftain of the Siceli or Siculi, having brought under his command all the cities of that ancient people except Hybla, united them under one government20. This prince, being both wise and brave, aimed at the expulsion of the rapacious Greeks; by whom his countrymen, who had been compelled to seek shelter in the mountainous and interior parts of the island, were perpetually pillaged. With that view, he removed the citizens of Neas, the place of his birth, from the hills to the low country; and built a city near the temple of the Palici, the venerated gods of his ancestors, to which he gave the name of Palicon22. In founding the metropolis of his nation, in the neighbourhood of this celebrated seat of superstition, Ducetius discovered great political sagacity. For Diodorus informs us222, that the temple of the Palici being built over a volcano, which emitted fiery and LETTER XV. PART I. aqueous vapours, or eruptions, was peculiarly calculated to inspire holy fear, and awful reverence. His words are to the following purport. "Within this temple, there are hollows in the earth, called crators; not very large in compass, but of incredible depth, whence break out sparks of fire and water, as from boiling pots or cauldrons. The water cast forth resembles so many streams of fire. But there is no saying what it is, as no one hitherto ever durst approach it. For the violent irruption of the matter is so extraordinary, that it seems to be the immediate effect of some divine power!-The matter smells like brimstone, and the bottomless gulf roars, and makes a most dreadful and horrid noise. But what is most wonderful, that river of fire, though in continual motion, neither flows any length, nor makes any stay upon the land; but, with amazing force, hurls itself up into the air223. "This temple, therefore, by these striking tokens of divine presence," adds the Sicilian historian224, "being accounted peculiarly sacred, the most solemn oaths, in matters of controversy, were here accustomed to be taken; and due punishment was in such cases instantly executed, by divine vengeance, upon the perjured person225. "The temple of the Palici was also a place of refuge, whither injured servants especially fled to shelter themselves from the cruelty of their severe masters; for they thence could not be dragged, but continued safe, until mutual oaths were taken for the faithful performance of what was covenanted on both sides 226. And so great was the veneration for the place, that it was never known any master broke 223. Id. p 67, 68, 224. Biblioth. lib. xi. p. 68, vol ii. 225 Id. ibid. 226 Diod. Sicul. Biblioth. ubi sup. ZV. his faith, there pledged, to his servant; with such an LETTER awe, through the fear of the presiding gods, was every one affected 227," Ducetius, after he had fortified his new city, named Palicon, divided the adjacent country among the inhabitants; who grew rich and powerful in a short time, both by reason of the fertility of the soil, and the number of the people there assembled 228. In consequence of this increase of strength, Ducetius was encouraged to attempt the accomplishment of his purpose of expelling the Greeks from Sicily. His first effort was against the city of Ætna, which he took 229. He afterward led his victorious army against the country of the Agrigentines, and besieged Motya. The Agrigentines, assisted by the Syracusians, endeavoured to relieve it; but their combined forces were defeated by the Siculian prince, and the place was taken 230. Winter approaching, all the troops of the hostile parties returned to their several cities; and the Syracusians put to death Bilco, their general, suspected of holding a treasonable correspondence with Ducetius, and to whom they imputed the loss of their army 231. On the return of the season of action, they chose another general, and put under his command a new army, well appointed in all respects; with strict orders to accomplish, if possible, the destruction of the Siculian prince and his adherents 232. The Syracusian general accordingly led out the forces of the state, and found Ducetius encamped near Nomæ. There a bloody battle was fought: 227. Id. ibid. 229. Id. ibid. 231. Id. p. 69. 228. Diod. Sicul. lib. xi. p. 68. 230. Diod. Sicul. lib. xi. p. 68, 69, vol. ii. many |